L'elisir d'amore (Elixir of Love)
by
Steffano Donatti
Synopsis
ACT I
Italy, 1836. Nemorino, a young villager, is unhappily in love with the beautiful farm owner Adina, who he thinks is beyond his reach. Adina tells the gathered peasants about the book she is reading—the story of how Tristan won the heart of Isolde by drinking a magic love potion. A regiment of soldiers arrives, led by the pompous Sergeant Belcore, who immediately introduces himself to Adina and asks her to marry him. Adina declares that she is in no hurry to make up her mind but promises to think over the offer. Left alone with Nemorino, Adina tells him that his time would be better spent in town, looking after his sick uncle, than hoping to win her love. She suggests that he do as she does and change affections every single day. Nemorino reminds her that one can never forget one’s first love.
Dr. Dulcamara, a traveling purveyor of patent medicines, arrives in the village advertising a potion capable of curing anything. Nemorino shyly asks him if he sells the Elixir of Love described in Adina’s book. Dulcamara claims he does, slyly proffering a simple bottle of wine. He explains that Nemorino will have to wait until the next day (when the doctor will be gone) to see the results. Though it costs him his last ducat, Nemorino buys and immediately drinks it. Nemorino begins to feel the effect of the “potion” and, convinced he will be irresistible to Adina the next day, feigns cheerful indifference towards her. Surprised and hurt, Adina flirts with Belcore. When orders arrive for the sergeant to return immediately to his garrison, Adina agrees to marry him at once. The shocked Nemorino begs her to wait one more day, but she dismisses him and invites the entire village to her wedding. Nemorino desperately calls for the Doctor’s help.
ACT II
Nemorino asks Dulcamara for another bottle of the Elixir. Since he doesn’t have any money left, the Doctor agrees to wait so Nemorino can borrow the cash. Belcore is bewildered that Adina has postponed the wedding. When Nemorino tells him that he needs money right away, the Sergeant persuades him to join the army and receive a volunteer bonus. Nemorino buys more Elixir and suddenly finds himself besieged by a group of women. Unaware of the news that his uncle has died and left him a fortune, he believes the Elixir is finally taking effect. Adina feels responsible for Nemorino’s enlistment, but her concern turns to jealousy when she sees him with the other women. Dulcamara boasts about the power of his Elixir and offers to sell Adina some, but she is determined to win Nemorino all on her own.
Nemorino now feels sure that Adina cares for him: He noticed a tear on her cheek when she saw him with the other women. Adina returns to tell Nemorino that she has bought back his enlistment papers. When he again feigns indifference, she finally confesses that she loves him. Belcore appears to find the two embracing and redirects his affections to Giannetta, declaring that thousands of women await him elsewhere. Dulcamara brags to the crowd that his miraculous potion can make people fall in love and even turn poor peasants into millionaires.
ACT I
Italy, 1836. Nemorino, a young villager, is unhappily in love with the beautiful farm owner Adina, who he thinks is beyond his reach. Adina tells the gathered peasants about the book she is reading—the story of how Tristan won the heart of Isolde by drinking a magic love potion. A regiment of soldiers arrives, led by the pompous Sergeant Belcore, who immediately introduces himself to Adina and asks her to marry him. Adina declares that she is in no hurry to make up her mind but promises to think over the offer. Left alone with Nemorino, Adina tells him that his time would be better spent in town, looking after his sick uncle, than hoping to win her love. She suggests that he do as she does and change affections every single day. Nemorino reminds her that one can never forget one’s first love.
Dr. Dulcamara, a traveling purveyor of patent medicines, arrives in the village advertising a potion capable of curing anything. Nemorino shyly asks him if he sells the Elixir of Love described in Adina’s book. Dulcamara claims he does, slyly proffering a simple bottle of wine. He explains that Nemorino will have to wait until the next day (when the doctor will be gone) to see the results. Though it costs him his last ducat, Nemorino buys and immediately drinks it. Nemorino begins to feel the effect of the “potion” and, convinced he will be irresistible to Adina the next day, feigns cheerful indifference towards her. Surprised and hurt, Adina flirts with Belcore. When orders arrive for the sergeant to return immediately to his garrison, Adina agrees to marry him at once. The shocked Nemorino begs her to wait one more day, but she dismisses him and invites the entire village to her wedding. Nemorino desperately calls for the Doctor’s help.
ACT II
Nemorino asks Dulcamara for another bottle of the Elixir. Since he doesn’t have any money left, the Doctor agrees to wait so Nemorino can borrow the cash. Belcore is bewildered that Adina has postponed the wedding. When Nemorino tells him that he needs money right away, the Sergeant persuades him to join the army and receive a volunteer bonus. Nemorino buys more Elixir and suddenly finds himself besieged by a group of women. Unaware of the news that his uncle has died and left him a fortune, he believes the Elixir is finally taking effect. Adina feels responsible for Nemorino’s enlistment, but her concern turns to jealousy when she sees him with the other women. Dulcamara boasts about the power of his Elixir and offers to sell Adina some, but she is determined to win Nemorino all on her own.
Nemorino now feels sure that Adina cares for him: He noticed a tear on her cheek when she saw him with the other women. Adina returns to tell Nemorino that she has bought back his enlistment papers. When he again feigns indifference, she finally confesses that she loves him. Belcore appears to find the two embracing and redirects his affections to Giannetta, declaring that thousands of women await him elsewhere. Dulcamara brags to the crowd that his miraculous potion can make people fall in love and even turn poor peasants into millionaires.
Cast
Nemorino - Brandon Michael, tenor
Adina - Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano
Dr. Dulcamara - Stacey Murdock, baritone
Sergent Belcore - Zachary Lenox, baritone
Gianetta - Allison Kim-Yok Knotts, mezzo-soprano
Pianist - Nathalie Fortin
Adina - Jocelyn Claire Thomas, soprano
Dr. Dulcamara - Stacey Murdock, baritone
Sergent Belcore - Zachary Lenox, baritone
Gianetta - Allison Kim-Yok Knotts, mezzo-soprano
Pianist - Nathalie Fortin
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Brandon Michael has been recognized for his beautiful and versatile tenor voice. In concert, Brandon is regularly heard with Portland’s Resonance Ensemble and the Portland Symphonic Choir. He was the Tenor Soloist for Rachmaninov’s Vespers and understudy for Puccini’s Messa Di Gloria with Vancouver Symphony. Brandon was also Tenor Soloist for Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the Spokane Symphony. Brandon’s first passion is the for the stage and he has been performing opera and musical theater for three decades. Brandon has been a regular chorus member with the Portland Opera since 2022. In 2023, Brandon sang “Agenore” in Mozart’s Il Re Pastore with Orpheus PDX. https://www.brandonmichaeltenor.com/
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Praised for her “staggeringly brilliant…ethereal soprano” (The Source) Jocelyn Claire Thomas has engaged audiences with her haunting sound, musical intelligence, and unusual versatility. She has sung more than 40 operatic roles with Portland Opera, Tacoma Opera, Eugene Opera, Inland Northwest Opera, Opera Theater Oregon, Opera Bend, Brava Opera Theater, Cascadia Chamber Opera, and many others. Recent solo highlights include Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915 with the Salem Philharmonia Orchestra, “Amore” in Orpheus & Eurydice with Inland Northwest Opera, Soprano Soloist in Dvorak’s Stabat Mater with Festival Chorale Oregon, and “Nedda” in Pagliacci with Opera Bend. Ms. Thomas was a featured soloist in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Portland’s Bach Cantata Choir, about which Oregon ArtsWatch said “Ms. Thomas shone brightly as the angel.” Other highlights include Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate with the Central Oregon Symphony, ”Susanna" in Le nozze di Figaro with Tacoma Opera, and Soprano Soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and Handel’s Messiah with Bravo Northwest. Originally from Columbia, MO, Jocelyn holds a B.M. from the Oberlin Conservatory, and both an M.M. and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory. Currently based in Portland, OR, Jocelyn maintains a private studio in voice, piano, and flute. www.jocelynclairethomas.com
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Baritone Stacey Murdock is thrilled to be returning to sing with Ping & Woof Opera! He has performed extensively throughout the Northwest and across the USA appearing in numerous operas, musicals, and concert work. Stacey performed the title role in the world premier of the first comic book based opera, Too Much Coffee Man. Other opera roles include: “Dr. Falke" in Die Fledermaus, “Bartolo" in Il barbiere di Siviglia, “Junius” in The Rape of Lucretia, “Guglielmo" in Così fan tutte, “Papageno” in Die Zauberflöte, the title role in Don Giovanni, & “Tonio” in Pagliacci. With Martina Arroyo's Prelude to Performance program in New York City he performed the roles of the “Count” in Le nozze di Figaro and the “Sacristan" in Tosca. As a member of the Portland Opera to Go outreach program for nine seasons, he performed for approximately 200,000 children in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, & California. Since 2008 he has been a troupe member with the Muse's Creative Artistry Project in Hot Springs, Arkansas where he currently serves as the Associate Artistic Director. Musical credits include: the title role in The Man of La Mancha, “Gaston" in Beauty and the Beast, “Frederik Egerman” in A Little Night Music, “Nathan Detroit” in Guys and Dolls, “Senator Dindon” in La Cage aux Folles, “Stephen Kodaly” in She Loves Me, and “Harold Hill” in The Music Man. Stacey resides in Beaverton, Oregon.
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Viewed as "a broad, resonant baritone that is exquisitely controlled throughout his entire range," Zachary Lenox has performed leading roles across North America. Notable roles include "Silvio" in Pagliacci, "Marcello" and "Schaunard" in La Boheme, "Marullo" in Rigoletto, "Count Almaviva" in Le nozze di Figaro, "Guglielmo" and "Don Alfonso" in Cosi fan tutte, "Papageno" in Die Zauberflöte, "Father" in Hansel and Gretel, "Sid" in Albert Herring, "Gianni Schicchi" and "Betto" in Gianni Schicchi, and "Dick Deadeye" in H.M.S. Pinafore. Mr. Lenox has appeared with Portland Opera, Eugene Opera, Tacoma Opera, Opera Parallèle, Opera Bend, Pacific Music Works, Cascadia Chamber Opera, Portland Summerfest, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Concert Opera, Eugene Concert Choir, Bravo Northwest, and the Astoria Music Festival. Concert appearances include Bass Soloist in Handel's Messiah, Samson, and Judah Maccabeus, Mozart's Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Faure’s Requiem, Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Schubert's Mass in G, Orff's Carmina Burana, and Bach's Coffee Cantata, Christmas Cantatas, and BWV 56. Zachary is a past winner of the Pacific Northwest Sings competition as well as the MONC Idaho/Montana District Auditions. He received his B.M. and M.M. from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam. https://www.zacharylenox.com/
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Mezzo-soprano Allison Kim-Yok Knotts is from Portland, Oregon, and studies with Nancy Olson Chatalas. She attended Oregon State University, where she studied with Megan Sand. She has performed with the Corvallis Repertory Singers, the Willamette Master Chorus, Opera on Tap Portland, Ping & Woof Opera, Portland Summer Opera Workshop, Portland Summerfest, Our Song Artists, Bend Opera, Lark Opera, Renegade Opera, and Portland Opera.
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Nathalie Fortin was born in Montreal, Canada. She holds degrees from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, Eastman School of Music, and University of Southern California. Since moving to Eugene she has performed with Cascadia Chamber Opera, Chamber Music Amici, Ballet Fantastique, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Oregon Bach Festival, and for a number of productions at the Shedd Institute for the Arts. She currently does collaborative work with Eugene Opera, Eugene Vocal Arts, the Eugene Gleemen, Pegasus Playhouse, and Ping & Woof Opera.
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